Letter-box



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. M. BLACK.

LETTER BOX. No. 391,293. Patented Oct. 16, 1888. W S g 8 O 6 O o o -WITNESSES: INVENTOR 4114mm film /n. i

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. M. BLACK.

LETTER BOX.

No. 391,293. 7 Patented Oct. 16, 1888.

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NITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

WILLIAM M. BLACK, or URBANA, OHIO.

LETTER-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 391,293, dated October 16, 1888.

Application filed January 21, 1888. Serial No. 261,549.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM M. BLACK, of Urbana, in the county of Ohampaign and State of Ohio, have invented an Improvement in Mail-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to mail-boxes for use in houses or offices or attached to lamp or other posts.

The object of the invention is to provide a box in which the lid can be raised above the box suffioiently high to receive letters, books, papers, and packages of greater bulk than can be placed in the mail-boxes now in common use and of-the same cubic dimensions, and one in which the lid is automatically closed down on the box, the discharge-door automatically raised and automatically locked when closed, and, finally, a box composed of but few pieces.

To this end the invention consists of a box proper composed, essentially, of but three pieces,the two ends and the bottom consisting of one piece, with the front and back pieces secured thereto.

It further consists of a lid at the top, and in and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

in which Figure 1 is an elevation showing the front side of the box; Fig. 2, an elevation showing an end of the box; Fig. 3, a plan view showing the two ends and bottom of the box made in one piece; Fig. 4, a vertical section showing the end pieces turned up; Fig. 5, a side view of the joining edges of the box; Figs. 6 and 7, elevations, partly in section, of the front and rear of the box; Fig. 8, an elevation, partly in section, of one end, showing the lid up and the door closed; Fig. 9, an elevation of same,show-' ing the top down and door opened or raised; Fig. 10, a sectional view showing the locking mechanism for the door; Figs. 11 and 12, sectional views showing the springs for holding -down door.

(No model.)

the lid and raising the door, and Fig. 13 an elevation of the roar of the box. Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that the bottom a and the ends A A are struck up from a single piece of sheet metal. This may be of any desired size, depending upon the use for which it is intended, office and indoor boxes being of less size than outdoor or post boxes. The pieces B B, which form the sides of the box, have their edges punched and turned in, by means of which the sides and ends are rivetcd together. The side Bis cutaway to leave an opening for the door D. This door is not hinged to fall outwardly, as is the case with those in general use, but is drawn up into the box when it is unlocked. This is accomplished by means of springs 8, attached to the side flanges, d, of the lid and to the bottom edge of and are therefore as durable as the box itself.

A bolt, 0, Fig. 10, engages with the locking device 01., and as soon as the door is released from its locked position the springs draw it upward into the interior of the box, leaving the space below open for the withdrawal of the contents. ing the door outwardly, as in the box in present use, and enables the postman to more readily and quickly remove the contents. Moreover, it avoids the reception of snow, rain, and dust that areliable to accummulate in the drop- Again, the postman has only to unlock the door and can then drop his key, for the door is then opened by the springs, and by simply pulling down the door the bolt slips into the catch and is again locked. The door in its upward movement passes between the sides of the box and interior guides, e,whereby any interruption of the movement is prevented.

On the lower face of the door I have placed This obviates the necessity of tilt-- the door will form the back piece.

stops 9, of rubber, wood, or other suitable material, which serve not only to stop theupward movement of the door after reaching the limit necessary to clear the openingin the side of the box, but acts also to prevent rattling and noise. The springs are secured to the edge of the door by hooking them into openings 8', Figs. 10 and 11. The inlet for mail matter is just the size of the outlet-that is, the distance between the flanges d is equal to the opening in the door-and therefore any package placed in at the top will find egress at the bottom.

The top, bottom, and sides of the box are 'made from light wrought or sheet metal, which is not only lighter than cast-iron, but is stronger. The sides and ends are riveted together, which gives great strength and durability as well as a neat finish. For house purposes it will not be necessary to have the back piece, B, as The top or lid 0 is also made of sheet metal, and is struck up into shape by suitable dies. The flanges d have their outer edges beveled, as shown at d, which bevel comes in contact with the guide piecef, thus forming a stop to limit the upper movement of the lid.

A box constructed of the material and in the manner described is found to be for given dimensions lighter and more durable than one of cast-iron.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A mail-box provided with a door automatically raised on the inside of the box when said door is unlocked, as set forth.

2. A mail-box having interior guides and provided with a door automatically and vertically raised when unlocked, the door in its upward and downward movement sliding between the guides, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a mail-box, a lid and door opening vertically upward, the lid being automatically closed and the door automatically raised by springs secured to said lid and door, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. A mail-box having a lid provided with side flanges,said flanges being beveled on their front edges to form a stop against the side or interior guide of said box, as set forth.

5. A mail-box having springs secured to the lid and door of the box, whereby said lid and door are automatically closed and opened by the action of the springs, as set forth.

WILLIAM BLACK.

Witnesses:

I. H. MCDONALD, E. E. MCDONALD. 

